Target image capturing device and extreme ultraviolet light generation apparatus

ABSTRACT

A target image capturing device according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes a delay circuit configured to receive a timing signal from outside and output a first trigger signal at a timing delayed by a first delay time from the reception of the timing signal; an illumination light source configured to emit light based on the first trigger signal; an image capturing unit including a light amplification unit and disposed to capture an image of a shadow of a target to be observed, which is generated when the target is irradiated with the light emitted from the illumination light source; a processing unit configured to perform image processing including processing of measuring a background luminance from the image captured by the image capturing unit; and a control unit configured to perform control to adjust a gain of the light amplification unit based on the background luminance.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation application of International Application No. PCT/JP2018/022240, filed on Jun. 11, 2018, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND 1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a target image capturing device and an extreme ultraviolet light generation apparatus.

2. Related Art

Recently, miniaturization of a transfer pattern in optical lithography of a semiconductor process has been rapidly proceeding along with miniaturization of the semiconductor process. Minute fabrication at 20 nm or smaller will be requested in the next generation technology. To meet the request for minute fabrication at 20 nm or smaller, for example, it is desired to develop an exposure apparatus including an extreme ultraviolet light generation apparatus configured to generate extreme ultraviolet (EUV) light at a wavelength of 13.5 nm in combination with reduced projection reflective optics.

Disclosed EUV light generation apparatuses include three kinds of devices: a laser produced plasma (LPP) device that uses plasma generated by irradiating a target material with a laser beam, a discharge produced plasma (DPP) device that uses plasma generated by electrical discharge, and a synchrotron radiation (SR) device that uses synchrotron radiation.

LIST OF DOCUMENTS Patent Documents

-   Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application     Publication No. 2001-242503

SUMMARY

A target image capturing device according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes a delay circuit configured to receive a timing signal from outside and output a first trigger signal at a timing delayed by a first delay time from the reception of the timing signal; an illumination light source configured to emit light based on the first trigger signal; an image capturing unit including a light amplification unit and disposed to capture an image of a shadow of a target to be observed, which is generated when the target is irradiated with the light emitted from the illumination light source; a processing unit configured to perform image processing including processing of measuring a background luminance from the image captured by the image capturing unit; and a control unit configured to perform control to adjust a gain of the light amplification unit based on the background luminance.

An extreme ultraviolet light generation apparatus according to another aspect of the present disclosure includes a chamber in which plasma is generated; a target supply unit configured to supply, into the chamber, a target from which plasma is to be generated; a target passing detection device configured to detect passing of the target supplied from the target supply unit into the chamber and output a target passing detection signal; a delay circuit configured to receive the target passing detection signal and output a first trigger signal at a timing delayed by a first delay time from the reception of the target passing detection signal; an illumination light source configured to emit light based on the first trigger signal; an image capturing unit including a light amplification unit and disposed to capture an image of a shadow of a target to be observed, which is generated when the target is irradiated with the light emitted from the illumination light source; a processing unit configured to perform image processing including processing of measuring a background luminance from the image captured by the image capturing unit; and a control unit configured to perform control to adjust a gain of the light amplification unit based on the background luminance, the device generating extreme ultraviolet light by irradiating the target supplied from the target supply unit into the chamber with a laser beam to generate plasma from the target.

An electronic device manufacturing method according to another aspect of the present disclosure includes generating, with an extreme ultraviolet light generation apparatus, extreme ultraviolet light by irradiating a target supplied from a target supply unit into a chamber with a laser beam to generate plasma from the target, the extreme ultraviolet light generation apparatus including a chamber in which the plasma is generated, a target supply unit configured to supply, into the chamber, the target from which plasma is to be generated, a target passing detection device configured to detect passing of the target supplied from the target supply unit into the chamber and output a target passing detection signal, a delay circuit configured to receive the target passing detection signal and output a first trigger signal at a timing delayed by a first delay time from the reception of the target passing detection signal, an illumination light source configured to emit light based on the first trigger signal, an image capturing unit including a light amplification unit and disposed to capture an image of a shadow of a target to be observed, which is generated when the target is irradiated with the light emitted from the illumination light source, a processing unit configured to perform image processing including processing of measuring a background luminance from the image captured by the image capturing unit, and a control unit configured to perform control to adjust a gain of the light amplification unit based on the background luminance; outputting the extreme ultraviolet light to an exposure apparatus; and exposing a photosensitive substrate to the extreme ultraviolet light in the exposure apparatus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below as examples with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating the configuration of an exemplary LPP EUV light generation system.

FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically illustrating the configuration of an EUV light generation apparatus including a target image capturing device.

FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically illustrating a first exemplary configuration of an illumination unit in a target image measurement device.

FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically illustrating a second exemplary configuration of the illumination unit in the target image measurement device.

FIG. 5 is a timing chart of the target image measurement device.

FIG. 6 is a graph exemplarily illustrating change in the light emission timing of a flash lamp.

FIG. 7 is a graph illustrating a situation in which the background luminance of a captured image decreases due to aging, state change, or the like of the flash lamp.

FIG. 8 is a timing chart illustrating an exemplary case in which setting of a delay time T_(FL) of an FL trigger is inappropriate.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of images captured by an image sensor in accordance with the light emission state of the flash lamp.

FIG. 10 is a graph illustrating a line profile indicating signal strength in a horizontal direction illustrated with a dashed line in each of Images A to C illustrated in FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a timing chart illustrating another exemplary case in which setting of the delay time T_(FL) of the FL trigger is inappropriate.

FIG. 12 is a timing chart illustrating an example in which the amount of light incident on the image sensor decreases due to degradation of a shutter or a light amplification unit.

FIG. 13 is a diagram schematically illustrating the configuration of an EUV light generation apparatus including a target image capturing device according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a diagram exemplarily illustrating an image of image data of a captured image obtained from the image sensor.

FIG. 15 is a graph illustrating a luminance histogram of the captured image illustrated in FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a plurality of exemplary measurement regions set in an image region of the captured image.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary captured image.

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating another exemplary captured image.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating the main flow of control at the target image capturing device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating the main flow of the control at the target image capturing device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart illustrating the main flow of the control at the target image capturing device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart of image data analysis processing.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart illustrating the processing content of Background Luminance Acquisition “a”.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart illustrating the processing content of Background Luminance Acquisition “b”.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart illustrating the processing content of Background Luminance Acquisition “c”.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart illustrating the processing content of Background Luminance Acquisition “d”.

FIG. 27 is a flowchart illustrating the processing content of Background Luminance Acquisition “e”.

FIG. 28 is a diagram listing advantages and disadvantages of Background Luminance Acquisition “a” to “e”.

FIG. 29 is a flowchart illustrating the processing content of T_(FL) optimization.

FIG. 30 is a flowchart illustrating processing contents of light-amplification-unit gain adjustment A applied to step S34 in FIG. 21.

FIG. 31 is a flowchart illustrating part of the main flow of control at a target image capturing device according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 32 is a flowchart illustrating processing contents of light-amplification-unit gain adjustment B applied to step S35 in FIG. 31.

FIG. 33 is a diagram exemplarily illustrating the configuration of an EUV light generation apparatus including a target image capturing device according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 34 is a diagram schematically illustrating an estimated state of a target when time in the order of picoseconds has elapsed since start of irradiation of the target with a pre-pulse laser beam having a pulse width in the order of picoseconds.

FIG. 35 is a diagram schematically illustrating an estimated state of a target when time in the order of nanoseconds has elapsed since start of irradiation of the target with a pre-pulse laser beam having a pulse width in the order of picoseconds.

FIG. 36 is a diagram schematically illustrating the state of a diffused target when time of 1 μs approximately has elapsed since start of irradiation of the target with a pre-pulse laser beam having a pulse width in the order of picoseconds.

FIG. 37 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an exposure apparatus connected with the EUV light generation apparatus.

EMBODIMENTS Table of Contents

1. Overall description of extreme ultraviolet light generation system

-   -   1.1 Configuration     -   1.2 Operation

2. Terms

3. EUV light generation apparatus including target image capturing device

-   -   3.1 Configuration     -   3.2 Operation         4. Disposition of flash lamp     -   4.1 First exemplary configuration     -   4.2 Operation     -   4.3 Second exemplary configuration     -   4.4 Operation         5. Triggers of target image measurement device

6. Problems

-   -   6.1 First problem     -   6.2 Second problem     -   6.3 Third problem

7. First Embodiment

-   -   7.1 Configuration     -   7.2 Operation     -   7.3 T_(FL) adjustment execution timing     -   7.4 Exemplary control algorithm         -   7.4.1 Main flow         -   7.4.2 Exemplary image data analysis processing         -   7.4.3 Exemplary T_(FL) optimization processing         -   7.4.4 Exemplary light-amplification-unit gain adjustment             processing     -   7.5 Effects

8. Second Embodiment

-   -   8.1 Configuration     -   8.2 Operation     -   8.3 Effects

9. Third Embodiment

-   -   9.1 Configuration     -   9.2 Operation     -   9.3 Effects

10. Modification

11. Diffused target measurement 12. Exemplary electronic device manufacturing method using EUV light generation apparatus

Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The embodiments described below are examples of the present disclosure, and do not limit the contents of the present disclosure. Not all configurations and operations described in each embodiment are necessarily essential as configurations and operations of the present disclosure.

Components identical to each other are denoted by an identical reference sign, and duplicate description thereof will be omitted.

1. Overall Description of Extreme Ultraviolet Light Generation System

1.1 Configuration

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates the configuration of an exemplary LPP EUV light generation system 10. An EUV light generation apparatus 12 is used together with at least one laser device 14. In the present application, a system including the EUV light generation apparatus 12 and the laser device 14 is referred to as the EUV light generation system 10. The EUV light generation apparatus 12 includes a chamber 16 and a target supply unit 18.

The chamber 16 is a sealable container. The target supply unit 18 supplies a target material into the chamber 16, and is, for example, attached to penetrate through a wall of the chamber 16. The target material may be made of tin, terbium, gadolinium, lithium, xenon, or a combination of any two or more of these materials, but is not limited thereto.

The wall of the chamber 16 is provided with at least one through-hole. The through-hole is blocked by a window 20 through which a pulse laser beam 22 output from the laser device 14 transmits. For example, an EUV light condensation mirror 24 having a spheroidal reflective surface is disposed inside the chamber 16. The EUV light condensation mirror 24 has a first focal point and a second focal point.

For example, a multi-layer reflective film obtained by alternately stacking molybdenum and silicon is formed on the surface of the EUV light condensation mirror 24. For example, the EUV light condensation mirror 24 is disposed so that the first focal point is positioned in a plasma generation region 26 and the second focal point is positioned at an intermediate focusing point (IF) 28. The EUV light condensation mirror 24 is provided with a through-hole 30 at a central part thereof through which a pulse laser beam 23 passes.

The EUV light generation apparatus 12 includes a control unit 40, a target sensor 42, and the like. The target sensor 42 detects any one or a plurality of the existence, locus, position, and speed of a target 44. The target sensor 42 may have an image capturing function.

The EUV light generation apparatus 12 includes a connection unit 48 through which the inside of the chamber 16 and the inside of an exposure apparatus 46 are communicated with each other. A wall 52 on which an aperture 50 is formed is provided inside the connection unit 48. The wall 52 is disposed so that the aperture 50 is positioned at the second focal point of the EUV light condensation mirror 24.

In addition, the EUV light generation apparatus 12 includes a laser beam transmission device 54, a laser beam condensation mirror 56, and a target collection unit 58 for collecting the target 44, and the like. The laser beam transmission device 54 includes an optical element for defining the transmission state of a laser beam, and an actuator for adjusting the position, posture, and the like of the optical element. The target collection unit 58 is disposed on the extended line of a direction in which the target 44 output into the chamber 16 travels.

The laser device 14 may be a master oscillator power amplifier (MOPA) system. The laser device 14 may include a master oscillator (not illustrated), a light isolator (not illustrated), and a plurality of CO₂ laser amplifiers (not illustrated). The master oscillator may be a solid-state laser. The wavelength of a laser beam output from the master oscillator is, for example, 10.59 μm, and the repetition frequency of pulse oscillation is, for example, 100 kHz.

1.2 Operation

The following describes the operation of the exemplary LPP EUV light generation system 10 with reference to FIG. 1. The inside of the chamber 16 is held at a pressure lower than atmospheric pressure and may be vacuum preferably. Alternatively, gas having a high EUV light transmissivity exists inside the chamber 16. The gas existing inside the chamber 16 may be, for example, hydrogen gas.

A pulse laser beam 21 output from the laser device 14 passes through the laser beam transmission device 54 and is incident in the chamber 16 through the window 20 as the pulse laser beam 22. The pulse laser beam 22 travels inside the chamber 16 along at least one laser beam path, and is reflected by the laser beam condensation mirror 56 and incident on the at least one target 44 as the pulse laser beam 23.

The target supply unit 18 outputs the target 44 formed of the target material toward the plasma generation region 26 inside the chamber 16. The target 44 is irradiated with at least one pulse included in the pulse laser beam 23. Plasma is generated when the target 44 is irradiated with the pulse laser beam 23, and radiates radiation light 60. EUV light 62 included in the radiation light 60 is selectively reflected by the EUV light condensation mirror 24. The EUV light 62 reflected by the EUV light condensation mirror 24 is condensed at an intermediate focusing point 28 and output to the exposure apparatus 46. The single target 44 may be irradiated with a plurality of pulses included in the pulse laser beam 23.

The control unit 40 controls the entire EUV light generation system 10. The control unit 40 processes a result of detection by the target sensor 42. The control unit 40 controls, based on the result of detection by the target sensor 42, the output timing of the target 44, the output direction of the target 44, and the like.

In addition, the control unit 40 controls the oscillation timing of the laser device 14, the traveling direction of the pulse laser beam 22, the focusing position of the pulse laser beam 23, and the like. These various kinds of control are merely exemplary and may include other control as necessary.

In the present disclosure, the control unit 40 and any other control device can be achieved by hardware and software combination of one or a plurality of computers. The software is synonymous with a computer program. The computers conceptually include a programmable controller. Each computer may include a central processing unit (CPU) and a memory.

Some or all of processing functions of the control unit 40 and any other control device may be achieved by using an integrated circuit such as a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

Functions of a plurality of control devices can be achieved by a single control device. In the present disclosure, the control unit 40 and the other control device may be connected with each other through a communication network including a local area network or the Internet. In a distributed computing environment, a program unit may be stored in local and remote memory storage devices.

2. Terms

“Pulse laser beam” may mean a laser beam containing a plurality of pulses.

“Laser beam” is not limited to a pulse laser beam, but may mean a general laser beam.

“Target” is an object irradiated with a laser beam introduced into the chamber. When irradiated with the laser beam, the target generates plasma and radiates EUV light. The target is the plasma generation source.

“Droplet” is a form of the target supplied into the chamber. The droplet is synonymous with the target in the droplet form. The droplet may be a target having a substantially spherical shape by the surface tension of the melted target substance. “Droplet trajectory” is a path on which a droplet travels inside the chamber.

“Diffused target” means the target diffused into minute particles or the like when irradiated with the pulse laser beam. The minute particles of the target material are referred to as “mist” in some cases. The diffused target includes plasma in some cases. The diffused target (mist) is a form of the target.

“Plasma light” is radiation light radiated from the target as plasma. This radiation light includes EUV light.

“EUV light” stands for “extreme ultraviolet light”. “EUV light generation apparatus” stands for “extreme ultraviolet light generation apparatus”.

3. EUV Light Generation Apparatus Including Target Image Capturing Device

3.1 Configuration

FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically illustrating the configuration of the EUV light generation apparatus including the target image capturing device. The EUV light generation apparatus 12 includes a target passing detection device 70 and a target image measurement device 90. The target passing detection device 70 and the target image measurement device 90 are mounted on the chamber 16.

The target passing detection device 70 includes an illumination unit 71 and a detection unit 81. The illumination unit 71 includes an illumination light source 72, an illumination optical system 74, and an optical filter 76. The illumination light source 72 may be a single-color light laser beam source or a lamp configured to emit light in a plurality of wavelengths. The illumination light source 72 may include an optical fiber connected with the illumination optical system 74. The illumination optical system 74 includes a light condensing lens. The illumination unit 71 is disposed outside of the chamber 16 through a window 78. The window 78 is attached to the wall of the chamber 16. The window 78 may be included as a component of the illumination optical system 74.

The detection unit 81 includes an optical filter 82, a detection optical system 84, and an optical sensor 86. The optical sensor 86 includes one or a plurality of light receiving surfaces. The optical sensor 86 may be any one of a photodiode, a photodiode array, an avalanche photodiode, a photomultiplier, a multi-pixel photon counter, and an image intensifier. The optical sensor 86 outputs an electric signal in accordance with a received-light amount. The detection optical system 84 includes a lens through which an image of the target illuminated with illumination light from the illumination light source 72 is transferred onto an element of the optical sensor 86.

The detection unit 81 is disposed outside of the chamber 16 through a window 88. The window 88 is attached to the wall of the chamber 16 at a position opposite to the window 78. The window 88 may be included as a component of the detection optical system 84. The illumination unit 71 and the detection unit 81 are attached to the chamber 16 at positions opposite to each other with respect to a position through which the target passes.

The target image measurement device 90 includes an illumination unit 91 and a measurement unit 101. The illumination unit 91 includes a flash lamp 92 as an illumination light source and an illumination optical system 94. The illumination unit 91 is disposed outside of the chamber 16 through a window 98. The window 98 is attached to the wall of the chamber 16. The illumination optical system 94 includes a collimate lens.

The measurement unit 101 includes an optical filter 102, an imaging optical system 104, a shutter 105A, a light amplification unit 105B, a transfer optical system 106, and an image sensor 107. The imaging optical system 104 includes a first lens 104A and a second lens 104B.

The shutter 105A and the light amplification unit 105B may be an integrated instrument and may be, for example, an image intensifier in which gate operation is possible. The image intensifier includes a photoelectric surface, a micro-channel plate (MCP), and a fluorescence surface. The photoelectric surface converts light into electrons. The MCP is an electron multiplication element configured to two-dimensionally detect and multiply electrons discharged from the photoelectric surface. A gain can be adjusted by adjusting voltage applied to the MCP. The fluorescence surface converts electrons discharged from an output end of the MCP into light.

The gate operation of the image intensifier is achieved by changing the voltage level difference between the photoelectric surface and an input surface of the MCP. The gate operation is synonymous with shutter operation. When the voltage level of the photoelectric surface is lower than the voltage level of the input surface of the MCP, electrons discharged from the photoelectric surface are incident on the MCP and an output image is obtained from the fluorescence surface. This gate “ON” state corresponds to a “shutter opened” state. When the voltage level of the photoelectric surface is higher than the voltage level of the input surface of the MCP, the electrons do not reach the MCP and no output image is obtained from the fluorescence surface. This gate “OFF” state corresponds to a “shutter closed” state. For example, the gate operation can be performed by applying pulse voltage of negative polarity to the photoelectric surface while fixing the voltage level of an incident surface of the MCP.

The image sensor 107 may be, for example, a charge-coupled device (CCD) image sensor. The measurement unit 101 is disposed outside of the chamber 16 through a window 108. The window 108 is attached to the wall of the chamber 16 at a position opposite to the window 98. The illumination unit 91 and the measurement unit 101 are attached to the chamber 16 at positions opposite to each other with respect to a position through which the target passes.

The window 98 functions as a light emission port through which light emitted from the flash lamp 92 is emitted toward the target to be observed. The window 98 is an exemplary “first window” in the present disclosure. The window 108 functions as a light incident port through which light having passed nearby the target is introduced to the measurement unit 101. The window 108 is an exemplary “second window” in the present disclosure.

The control unit 40 includes a processing unit 110, a delay circuit 112, and a light-amplification-unit gain control unit 113. The processing unit 110 processes image data of an image captured by the image sensor 107. The delay circuit 112 receives a target passing detection signal from the target passing detection device 70, and generates various trigger signals of an FL trigger, a shutter trigger, an image capturing trigger, and a drive laser output trigger based on the reception of the target passing detection signal. FL stands for “flash lamp”. The light-amplification-unit gain control unit 113 controls the gain of the light amplification unit 105B.

The direction in which the window 98 of the illumination unit 91 and the window 108 of the measurement unit 101 are opposite to each other may or may not be orthogonal to a droplet trajectory as the traveling path of a droplet.

The EUV light generation apparatus 12 is used together with a drive laser generation unit 114. The drive laser generation unit 114 corresponds to a configuration including the laser device 14 and the laser beam transmission device 54 described with reference to FIG. 1. FIG. 2 omits illustration of the laser beam transmission device 54, the laser beam condensation mirror 56, the EUV light condensation mirror 24, and the like illustrated in FIG. 1. The drive laser generation unit 114 may include a plurality of laser devices. The drive laser generation unit 114 of the present example includes a pre-pulse laser device and a main pulse laser device (not illustrated).

The chamber 16 is provided with a gas discharge device (not illustrated) and a pressure sensor (not illustrated). The chamber 16 is connected with a gas supply device (not illustrated).

Although not illustrated in detail, the target supply unit 18 includes a tank (not illustrated) storing the target material, a nozzle including a nozzle hole through which the target material is output, and a piezoelectric element (not illustrated) disposed at the nozzle. In addition, a heater (not illustrated) and a temperature sensor (not illustrated) are disposed at an outer side surface part of the tank. The EUV light generation apparatus 12 also includes a pressure adjuster (not illustrated) configured to adjust the pressure in the tank storing the target material.

The nozzle of the target supply unit 18 has a shape with which the target material being melted is ejected in a jet form into the chamber 16. The target material output through the nozzle hole is, for example, liquid tin. The plasma generation region 26 inside the chamber 16 is positioned on the extended line of the central axial direction of the nozzle.

3.2 Operation

For the purpose of description of directions, XYZ orthogonal coordinate axes are introduced in FIG. 2. The direction of the Y axis is defined to be a direction in which a droplet of the target material is output from the target supply unit 18. The direction of the X axis is defined to be a direction in which EUV light is guided from the chamber 16 toward the exposure apparatus 46 (refer to FIG. 1), and the direction of the Z axis is defined to be a direction orthogonal to the sheet of FIG. 2.

The control unit 40 controls discharge by the discharge device (not illustrated) and gas supply from the gas supply device based on a detected value of the pressure sensor (not illustrated) attached to the chamber 16 so that the pressure in the chamber 16 is in a predetermined range. The predetermined range of the pressure in the chamber 16 is, for example, a value between several pascals [Pa] and several hundred pascals [Pa].

The target supply unit 18 forms a droplet 116 by, for example, a continuous jet scheme. In the continuous jet scheme, the nozzle is vibrated to provide periodic vibration to flow of the target substance ejected in a jet form through the nozzle hole, thereby periodically separating the target substance. The separated target material forms a free interface by the surface tension thereof, thereby forming the droplet 116.

The control unit 40 controls the heater attached to the tank of the target supply unit 18 to heat the target material in the tank to a predetermined temperature equal to or higher than the melting point thereof. When the target substance is tin (Sn), which has a melting point of 232° C., the control unit 40 controls the heater to heat tin in the tank to a predetermined temperature in a temperature range of 250° C. to 290° C., which is equal to or higher than the melting point, thereby achieving temperature adjustment of tin in the tank. The control unit 40 controls the pressure adjuster so that the pressure in the tank is equal to a pressure at which a jet of liquid tin can be output at a predetermined speed through the nozzle hole.

Subsequently, the control unit 40 transmits a signal for supplying voltage having a predetermined waveform to the piezoelectric element, which is attached to the nozzle of the target supply unit 18, to generate the droplet 116. The piezoelectric element vibrates when supplied with voltage having the predetermined waveform. As a result, liquid tin output in the jet form through the nozzle hole is divided into the droplets 116, thereby generating the droplets 116 having uniform volumes.

The drive laser generation unit 114 includes the pre-pulse laser device configured to output a pre-pulse laser beam, and the main pulse laser device configured to output a main pulse laser beam. In the LPP EUV light generation apparatus 12 in the present embodiment, the target in the droplet form is irradiated with the pre-pulse laser beam so that the target is diffused. After the diffused target is formed, the diffused target is irradiated with the main pulse laser beam. When the diffused target is irradiated with the main pulse laser beam in this manner, plasma can be efficiently generated from the target material. Accordingly, conversion efficiency (CE) from the energy of a pulse laser beam into the energy of EUV light can be improved.

The pre-pulse laser beam for forming the diffused target is short pulse light in which the pulse width of each pulse is shorter than one nanosecond [ns], preferably shorter than 500 picoseconds [ps], more preferably shorter than 50 picoseconds [ps]. Moreover, the fluence of each pulse of the pre-pulse laser beam is equal to or lower than the fluence of each pulse of the main pulse laser beam, and is equal to or higher than 6.5 J/cm², preferably equal to or higher than 30 J/cm², more preferably equal to or higher than 45 J/cm².

With this configuration, the target can be broken down into minute particles and diffused by shortening the pulse width of each pulse of the pre-pulse laser beam. Accordingly, when the target thus diffused is irradiated with the main pulse laser beam, plasma can be efficiently generated from the target, and the CE can be improved accordingly.

The target may be irradiated with a plurality of pre-pulse laser beams before the main pulse laser beam irradiation.

The target collection unit 58 collects the droplet 116 having passed through the plasma generation region 26 without being irradiated with the pulse laser beam 23, and part of the droplet not diffused through irradiation with the pulse laser beam 23.

The illumination unit 71 of the target passing detection device 70 illuminates the target introduced from the target supply unit 18 into the chamber 16. The intensity of light received by the detection unit 81 decreases as the target passes through a predetermined position. The change in the light intensity along with the passing of the target is detected by the optical sensor 86. The optical sensor 86 outputs a target detection signal indicating the passing timing of the target to the control unit 40.

The control unit 40 generates the target passing detection signal when the target detection signal becomes lower than a predetermined threshold voltage. The target passing detection signal may be generated at the detection unit 81 and output from the detection unit 81 to the control unit 40. In other words, in the target passing detection device 70, the passing of the target may be detected by the optical sensor 86, and the target passing detection signal may be transmitted to the control unit 40.

The delay circuit 112 provides, to the received target passing detection signal, a delay time set in advance to each of the devices of the flash lamp 92, the shutter 105A, the image sensor 107, and the drive laser generation unit 114, and outputs a trigger signal for the device. The delay time set to each of the devices of the flash lamp 92, the shutter 105A, the image sensor 107, and the drive laser generation unit 114 is determined by subtracting, from a time until the target reaches a specified place in the plasma generation region 26, an internal delay time and a transmission time for the device that receives the trigger signal.

“FL trigger” refers to the trigger signal provided to the flash lamp 92.

“Shutter trigger” refers to the trigger signal provided to the shutter 105A. “Image capturing trigger” refers to the trigger signal provided to the image sensor 107. “Drive laser output trigger” refers to the trigger signal provided to the drive laser generation unit 114.

The delay circuit 112 functions to synchronize light emission of the flash lamp 92, opening operation of the shutter 105A, and exposure of the image sensor 107. Specifically, the delay circuit 112 functions to cause, at a timing at which the flash lamp 92 emits light based on the FL trigger, the shutter 105A to open based on the shutter trigger. The light amplification unit 105B amplifies light having been transmitted through the shutter, and the image sensor 107 performs exposure in response to the image capturing trigger.

As a result, the target image measurement device 90 captures an image of the target near the plasma generation region 26. Image data acquired through the image sensor 107 is transferred to the processing unit 110 of the control unit 40 and subjected to image processing at the processing unit 110.

4. Disposition of Flash Lamp

4.1 First Exemplary Configuration

FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically illustrating a first exemplary configuration of the illumination unit 91 in the target image measurement device 90. In the illumination unit 91 exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 3, the flash lamp 92 and the illumination optical system 94 are housed in a case 96 directly attached to a chamber wall 16A. The chamber wall 16A is part of the wall of the chamber 16.

4.2 Operation

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the flash lamp 92 is disposed near the illumination optical system 94. Illumination light emitted from the flash lamp 92, which is housed in the case 96 directly attached to the chamber wall 16A, is incident near the plasma generation region 26 through the illumination optical system 94 and the window 98.

4.3 Second Exemplary Configuration

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a second exemplary configuration of the illumination unit 91 in the target image measurement device 90. The flash lamp 92 of the illumination unit 91 exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 4 is not disposed near the illumination optical system 94, but is disposed at a far place separated from the illumination optical system 94 by a sufficient distance. The illumination unit 91 includes an optical fiber 93 through which illumination light emitted from the flash lamp 92 is guided to the illumination optical system 94.

4.4 Operation

Illumination light emitted from the flash lamp 92 illustrated in FIG. 4 is transmitted to the illumination optical system 94 in the case 96 through the optical fiber 93. The illumination light is collimated by the illumination optical system 94 near the chamber through the optical fiber transmission, and incident near the plasma generation region 26. A mirror may be used in place of or in combination with the optical fiber 93 to form a light transmission optical path through which the illumination light is transmitted. As exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 4, the flash lamp 92 can be placed at a position separated from the chamber 16.

5. Triggers of Target Image Measurement Device

FIG. 5 is a timing chart of the target image measurement device. The target passing detection signal is a timing signal as a reference for the timings of the trigger signals of the image capturing trigger, the shutter trigger, and the FL trigger. The delay circuit 112 outputs the trigger signals of the image capturing trigger, the shutter trigger, and the FL trigger at timings delayed by respective necessary delay times from the reception of the target passing detection signal.

The delay circuit 112 generates the image capturing trigger delayed by a delay time T_(ccd) from the reception of the target passing detection signal, and transmits the image capturing trigger to the image sensor 107. The length of a time for which the image capturing trigger is on is, for example, one millisecond approximately.

The delay circuit 112 generates the shutter trigger delayed by a delay time T_(str) from the reception of the target passing detection signal, and transmits the shutter trigger to the shutter 105A. The shutter 105A is opened and closed based on the shutter trigger. The length of a time for which the shutter trigger is on is, for example, 20 nanoseconds approximately. The delay circuit 112 generates the FL trigger delayed by a delay time T_(FL) from the reception of the target passing detection signal, and transmits the FL trigger to the flash lamp 92. The length of a time for which the FL trigger is on is, for example, 10 microseconds approximately.

“FL light emission” in FIG. 5 corresponds to the light emission strength of the flash lamp 92 to which the FL trigger is input. The light emission strength of the flash lamp 92 indicates the luminance of illumination light due to flash light emission. The flash lamp 92 is a high-luminance pulse light source. The flash lamp 92 starts the light emission slightly delayed from the trigger inputting, and the light emission strength reaches a peak in a time T_(emit) from the trigger inputting timing, and attenuates thereafter.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example in which the delay time T_(FL) of the FL trigger is appropriately set. The example in which the delay time T_(FL) of the FL trigger is appropriately set is a state in which |T_(str)−(T_(FL)+T_(emit))|<0.5λFW_at80% holds. The value “FW_at80%” represents a pulse full width at 80% of the light emission peak value of a typical light emission pulse of the flash lamp 92. When the delay time T_(FL) of the FL trigger is appropriately set, the timing of the light emission peak of the flash lamp 92 substantially coincides with the timing of the shutter trigger. The timing of the shutter trigger substantially coincides with the timing of shutter opening. In FIG. 5, the area (integration value) of a hatched part H_(A) overlapping with the duration in which the shutter trigger is on in the FL light emission corresponds to the background luminance of an image captured by the image sensor 107.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, when the delay time T_(FL) of the FL trigger is appropriately set, a normal target image (refer to Image A in FIG. 9) having a sufficiently bright background luminance is obtained.

6. Problems

6.1 First Problem

When the flash lamp 92 is used for a long duration, the time lag between trigger inputting to the flash lamp 92 and light emission therefrom changes due to wear of a discharging electrode, degradation of encapsulated gas, degradation of an electronic circuit component, and the like in the flash lamp 92.

FIG. 6 is a graph exemplarily illustrating change in the light emission timing of the flash lamp. The horizontal axis represents a time lag (elapsed time) from inputting of the FL trigger in units of nanoseconds [ns]. The horizontal axis has an origin at the trigger inputting. The vertical axis represents the light emission strength of the flash lamp. In FIG. 6, a light emission waveform denoted by Date.X represents the light emission state of the flash lamp measured at a particular date and time X. For example, the light emission waveform Date.X represents the initial performance of the flash lamp. In FIG. 6, a light emission waveform denoted by Date.Z represents the light emission state of the flash lamp measured at a particular date and time Z after a sufficiently long duration has elapsed since the date and time X. The time lag between the trigger inputting and light emission from the flash lamp increases as the flash lamp is used for a longer duration.

Conventionally, at an initial stage of the start of device use, the timing of trigger inputting to the flash lamp 92 is adjusted to synchronize with the exposure timing of an image capturing system in the measurement unit 101, in other words, to maximize an integrated light amount (background light amount of a captured image) over the exposure time. Then, the timing of trigger inputting to the flash lamp 92 is not adjusted thereafter.

Thus, the light amount of illumination light incident in the duration in which the shutter trigger is on decreases when the light emission waveform Date.X changes to the light emission waveform Date.Z after the device is set so that the timing of a light emission peak of the light emission waveform Date.X substantially coincides with the timing of the shutter trigger.

In other words, the synchronization with the exposure timing of the image capturing system is lost as the time between the trigger inputting and light emission from the flash lamp 92 changes due to aging or state change of the flash lamp 92.

FIG. 7 is a graph illustrating a situation in which the background luminance of a captured image decreases due to aging, state change, or the like of the flash lamp 92. In FIG. 7, the horizontal axis represents time in units of months. The vertical axis represents the background luminance. In FIG. 7, “X” corresponds to the date Date.X in FIG. 6, and “Z” corresponds to the date Date.Z in FIG. 6. In FIG. 7, “Y” corresponds to a particular date between “X” and “Z”. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the background luminance decreases as the flash lamp 92 is used for a longer duration.

FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary case in which the delay time T_(FL) of the FL trigger is inappropriately set. Among FL light emission waveforms illustrated at the lowest part in FIG. 8, the waveform of a light emission state denoted by Reference Sign A is same as that of the light emission state illustrated in FIG. 5, in which the light emission peak substantially coincides with the timing of the shutter trigger.

The waveforms denoted by Reference Signs B and C in FIG. 8 correspond to states in which the light emission peak of the flash lamp 92 is shifted from the timing of the shutter trigger due to a longer time lag between the trigger input timing of the FL trigger and light emission from the flash lamp 92.

In FIG. 5, when the time lag between the trigger input timing and the light emission peak reached is referred to as a light emission peak reach time T_(emit), T_(emit) of the FL light emission in FIG. 5 changes to, for example, T_(emit-B) illustrated in FIG. 8 due to degradation or the like of the flash lamp 92.

In this case, for example, in the state denoted by Reference Sign B, the area of a hatched part H_(B) overlapping with the duration in which the shutter trigger is on is smaller than the area of the hatched part H_(A) described with reference to FIG. 5, and the background luminance of a captured image decreases. In the state denoted by Reference Sign C, the duration in which the shutter trigger is on is completely shifted from the FL light emission duration, and the background luminance of a captured image extremely decreases.

The state denoted by Reference Sign B and the state denoted by Reference Sign C are states in which the delay time T_(FL) of the FL trigger is inappropriately set. An exemplary state in which the delay time T_(FL) of the FL trigger is inappropriately set is a state in which |T_(str)−(T_(FL)+T_(emit))|>0.5×FW_at80% holds. As illustrated in FIG. 8, when the delay time T_(FL) of the FL trigger is inappropriately set, the light emission peak of the flash lamp does not coincide with the shutter trigger, and thus an anomalous target image (refer to Images B and C in FIG. 9) having a dark background luminance is obtained.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of images captured by the image sensor 107 when the time lag between the inputting of the FL trigger and the FL light emission is in the states A, B, and C in FIG. 8. Image A illustrated leftmost in FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of the image captured by the image sensor 107 when the time lag between the inputting of the FL trigger and the FL light emission is in the state denoted by “A” in FIG. 8. Image B illustrated at the center in FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of the image captured by the image sensor 107 when the time lag between the inputting of the FL trigger and the FL light emission is in the state denoted by “B” in FIG. 8. Image C illustrated rightmost in FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of the image captured by the image sensor 107 when the time lag between the inputting of the FL trigger and the FL light emission is in the state denoted by “C” in FIG. 8.

When the time lag between the FL trigger inputting and the light emission changes from A to B and then to C in FIG. 8 due to use of the flash lamp 92 for a long duration, the backgrounds of the images captured by the image sensor 107 are gradually darker in the order of Image A, Image B, and Image C in FIG. 9. Each black circle in Image A, Image B, and Image C represents a target shadow.

FIG. 10 illustrates a line profile indicating the signal strength in a horizontal direction illustrated with a dashed line in each of Images A to C. In FIG. 10, the horizontal axis represents the position in the horizontal direction, and the vertical axis represents the signal strength, in other words, luminance. The signal strength can be represented by a count value of a pixel in image data, which is a digital signal value.

The line profile denoted by “A” in FIG. 10 is a sectional profile along Dashed Line “a” in Image A in FIG. 9. The line profile denoted by “B” in FIG. 10 is a sectional profile along Dashed Line “b” in Image B in FIG. 9. The line profile denoted by “C” in FIG. 10 is a sectional profile along Dashed Line “c” in Image C in FIG. 9. In each line profile illustrated in FIG. 10, the signal strength is lower for a part corresponding to the shadow of the target than a background part. Signal variation at the background part is caused by heat noise. In a case of a captured image such as Image A having a bright background, the grayscale difference between the shadow of the target and the background is large, and thus it is possible to appropriately discriminate a target signal corresponding to the shadow of the target. The target signal is a signal due to image capturing of the shadow of the target.

When the background luminance is low as in Image B, it is difficult to discriminate the target signal from noise. When the background luminance further decreases as in Image C, it is impossible to discriminate the target from background noise. Thus, as the background luminance decreases, the signal level decreases, and the influence of noise on the target signal relatively increases. As a result, error in measurement of the position, shape, and the like of the target based on a captured image increases, and the measurement becomes impossible in the worst case.

When the synchronization with the exposure timing is lost and the integrated light amount over the exposure time decreases due to aging or state change of the flash lamp 92 as described above, contrast between the shadow of the target and the background decreases, and the target measurement accuracy decreases accordingly.

6.2 Second Problem

The second problem is as follows. When the flash lamp 92 is used for a long period, the light emission amount of the flash lamp 92 can decrease. Specifically, when the flash lamp 92 is used for a long period, the increase of the light emission peak reach time described with reference to FIG. 5 and the decrease of the light emission amount can simultaneously occur. FIG. 11 illustrates an example in which the light emission peak reach time T_(emit) increases and the light emission amount decreases due to degradation of the flash lamp 92. Among waveforms illustrated in the lowermost part of FIG. 11 and indicating the light intensity of FL light emission, the light emission states denoted by Reference Sign D and Reference Sign E indicate decrease of the light emission amount of the flash lamp 92. The light emission state denoted by Reference Sign A indicates a waveform same as that of the light emission state illustrated in FIG. 5 and has a light emission peak that substantially coincides with the timing of the shutter trigger.

In FIG. 11, the area (integration value) of a hatched part H_(D) overlapping with the duration in which the shutter trigger is on in the light intensity waveform denoted by Reference Sign D corresponds to the background luminance of an image captured by the image sensor 107.

As indicated by Reference Signs D and E in FIG. 11, the phenomenon described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10 occurs when the light emission amount decreases in addition to delay of the light emission timing. As a result, error in measurement of the position, shape, and the like of the target based on a captured image increases, and the measurement potentially becomes impossible in the worst case.

6.3 Third Problem

The third problem is degradation of the shutter 105A or the light amplification unit 105B in addition to degradation of the flash lamp 92.

FIG. 12 illustrates an example in which the amount of light incident on the image sensor 107 decreases due to degradation of the shutter 105A or the light amplification unit 105B. Reference Sign F in FIG. 12 denotes an exemplary intensity of light output from the light amplification unit 105B. The light emission state illustrated in the lowermost part of FIG. 12 and denoted by Reference Sign A indicates a waveform same as that of the light emission state illustrated in FIG. 5.

In FIG. 12, the area (integration value) of a hatched part H_(F) overlapping with the duration in which the shutter trigger is on in the light intensity waveform denoted by Reference Sign F corresponds to the background luminance of an image captured by the image sensor 107.

As indicated by Reference Sign F in FIG. 12, the phenomenon described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10 occurs due to degradation of the shutter 105A or the light amplification unit 105B. As a result, error in measurement of the position, shape, and the like of the target based on a captured image increases, and the measurement potentially becomes impossible in the worst case.

Another cause of decrease of the background luminance of an image captured by the image sensor 107 is decrease of the amount of transmitted light due to dirt on the window 98 and/or the window 108.

7. First Embodiment

7.1 Configuration

FIG. 13 is a diagram schematically illustrating the configuration of an EUV light generation apparatus including a target image capturing device according to a first embodiment. Any difference from FIG. 2 will be described.

The control unit 40 of the EUV light generation apparatus including the target image capturing device according to the first embodiment, which is illustrated in FIG. 13, performs control to adjust the delay time of the FL trigger of the delay circuit 112 by using a result of measurement of the background luminance of an image captured by the processing unit 110. The control unit 40 also performs control to adjust the gain of the light amplification unit 105B by using the result of measurement of the background luminance of the image captured by the processing unit 110. A gain command to the light amplification unit 105B is transferred to the light amplification unit 105B through the light-amplification-unit gain control unit 113.

7.2 Operation

The processing unit 110 measures the background luminance of a captured image based on image data of the captured image obtained from the image sensor 107.

The processing unit 110 may output a T_(FL) change command to the delay circuit 112 based on a result of the measurement of the background luminance of the captured image. The T_(FL) change command changes setting of the delay time T_(FL) of the FL trigger and includes information that commands a set value or a change amount of the delay time T_(FL).

The processing unit 110 may also output a G_(amp) change command to the light-amplification-unit gain control unit 113 based on the result of the measurement of the background luminance of the captured image. The G_(amp) change command changes a gain G_(amp) of the light amplification unit and includes information that commands a set value or a change amount of the gain G_(amp).

FIG. 14 exemplary illustrates image data of a captured image. The target appears as a shadow in the captured image. The background luminance may be measured from such a captured image by, for example, measurement methods “a” to “c” as follows.

Measurement method “a”: the background luminance is obtained as an average count value over the entire captured image. The count value means the digital signal value of a pixel. The count value expresses the intensity of light received by the pixel as a numerical value at one of a predetermined number of gradations. The count value is larger for a higher luminance. For example, when the predetermined number of gradations is 256 gradations (8 bits), the count value is expressed as a numerical value in the range of 0 to 255.

Measurement method “b”: the background luminance is the maximum count value in the entire captured image.

Measurement method “c”: the background luminance is a count value corresponding to a peak in a histogram of the count values of the entire captured image.

FIG. 15 illustrates a luminance histogram of the captured image illustrated in FIG. 14. The horizontal axis represents the count value of each pixel of the captured image, and the vertical axis represents the number of pixels. In FIG. 15, Arrow “a” indicates a position on a background luminance histogram acquired by Measurement Method “a”. In FIG. 15, Arrow “b” indicates a position on a background luminance histogram acquired by Measurement Method “b”. In FIG. 15, Arrow “c” indicates a position on a background luminance histogram acquired by Measurement Method “c”.

The background luminance is also measured from the captured image by Measurement Methods “d” and “e” as follows.

Measurement Method “d”: the background luminance is the average value of the average count values of a plurality of measurement regions set in advance in the image region of the captured image.

For example, as illustrated in FIG. 16, four measurement regions W1, W2, W3, and W4 are set in advance in the image region of the captured image. FIG. 16 illustrates a rectangular measurement frame that defines the boundary of each of the measurement regions W1, W2, W3, and W4. Each average value (average count value) is calculated only in each measurement frame, and the average value of four average count values for the respective measurement regions W1, W2, W3, and W4 is employed as the background luminance. The measurement regions preferably include at least two measurement regions having different positions in the Y direction and different positions in the X direction.

Measurement Method “e”: the background luminance is the average value of the average count values of remaining measurement regions other than a measurement region including the target among a plurality of measurement regions set in advance in the image region of the captured image.

FIG. 17 illustrates an exemplary captured image. The captured image illustrated in FIG. 17 is obtained by performing image capturing with orientation in which the target travels downward on the screen. In the example illustrated in FIG. 17, among measurement regions W1 to W4 set in advance, the measurement regions W2 and W4 including the target are excluded from the background luminance calculation.

In this case, the average count value is calculated for each of the remaining measurement regions W1 and W3, and the average value of the two average count values for the respective measurement regions W1 and W3 is employed as the background luminance.

The determination of whether the target is included in each measurement region can be performed by, for example, any one of the following two methods or a combination of both methods.

[Target Existence Determination Method 1]

The target existence is determined based on information on a supply position of the target. The control unit 40 holds information on the supply position of the target, which is output from the target supply unit 18. The target supply unit 18 is attached to the chamber 16 through a two-dimensional stage (not illustrated). The control unit 40 controls the supply position of the target by controlling the two-dimensional stage. The control unit 40 holds the supply position of the target as control information for the two-dimensional stage. The control unit 40 can determine the position of the target in a captured image based on information on the target supply position.

[Target Existence Determination Method 2]

The target existence is determined from information on the lowest luminance in each measurement region in a captured image. As described above, the target appears as a shadow in the captured image. The luminance is low at a part corresponding to the shadow, and thus it can be determined that the target is included in the measurement region when the lowest luminance of a pixel in the measurement region is lower than a predetermined value.

FIG. 18 illustrates another exemplary captured image. The captured image illustrated in FIG. 18 is obtained by performing image capturing with orientation in which the target travels rightward on the screen. The captured image as illustrated in FIG. 18 is obtained in some cases, depending on the direction of the image sensor 107. In the case of FIG. 18, among the measurement regions W1, W2, W3, and W4 set in advance in the image regions of the captured image, the measurement regions W3 and W4 including the target are excluded from calculation of the background luminance. In this case, average count values are calculated for the respective measurement regions W1 and W2, and the average value of the two average count values for the respective measurement regions W1 and W2 is employed as the background luminance.

According to Measurement Method “d” or “e”, since measurement regions for calculating the background luminance are fixed and limited in advance in a captured image, the background luminance can be acquired faster with a smaller calculation amount than Measurement Methods “a” to “c”.

As described for Measurement Method “e”, variance of the average luminance depending on the state of the target can be reduced by excluding, as a calculation target, a measurement region including the target.

As exemplarily illustrated in FIGS. 16 to 18, when a plurality of measurement regions are set in advance in the image region of a captured image, it is possible to avoid a case in which measurement cannot be performed when the target is included in any measurement region.

7.3 T_(FL) Adjustment Execution Timing

The background luminance measurement may be constantly performed, for example, at each target measurement or each plurality of times of target measurement. Then, T_(FL) adjustment is performed when the measured background luminance is lower than the allowable variation width (for example, 90%) of a predetermined reference luminance. The T_(FL) adjustment is adjustment of the delay time T_(FL) of the FL trigger to an optimum value. The adjustment of the delay time T_(FL) of the FL trigger is synonymous with adjustment of the timing of the FL trigger, in other words, adjustment of the light emission timing of the flash lamp 92.

When the measured background luminance is not lower than 90% of the reference luminance, the T_(FL) adjustment may be periodically performed at each elapse of a defined duration of one week to one month approximately.

In the present embodiment, adjustment of the gain G_(amp) of the light amplification unit 105B is performed as necessary in addition to T_(FL) adjustment. The adjustment of the gain G_(amp) of the light amplification unit 105B is referred to as “light-amplification-unit gain adjustment”. The light-amplification-unit gain adjustment is also referred to as “G_(amp) adjustment”.

7.4 Exemplary Control Algorithm

7.4.1 Main Flow

FIGS. 19 to 21 are flowcharts illustrating the main flow of control at the target image capturing device according to the first embodiment. Each step in the flowchart illustrated in FIGS. 19 to 21 may be performed when a computer program is executed by one or a plurality of central processing units (CPU) that function as the control unit 40.

At step S11 in FIG. 19, the control unit 40 sets default values to the delay time T_(FL) and the gain G_(amp) of the light amplification unit 105B.

At step S12, the control unit 40 sets the values of various parameters for the T_(FL) adjustment and the G_(amp) adjustment. For example, the control unit 40 sets the values of a change rate ΔT of T_(FL), a change rate ΔG of G_(amp), an averaging sampling number N_(sample), a target value Q₀ of the background luminance, and an allowable variation width α of the background luminance. Exemplary values of the parameters set at step S12 are ΔT=50 nanoseconds [ns], ΔG=2.5%, N_(sample)=10, Q₀=200, and α=10%. The allowable variation width α=10% means allowance in the range of ±10% of the target value Q₀ corresponding to the reference luminance.

In addition, at step S12, the control unit 40 temporarily sets the value of an adjustment flag F to be “0” (adjustment completed) to indicate that the delay time T_(FL) of the FL trigger and the gain G_(amp) of the light amplification unit 105B are adjusted.

The adjustment flag F indicates the state of the T_(FL) adjustment or the G_(amp) adjustment. In the present example, the flag F takes any of the values {0, 1, 2, 3, and 4}.

The flag F=0 corresponds to a state in which the adjustment is completed.

The flag F=1 corresponds to a state in which the T_(FL) adjustment is started. In the state of F=1, the background luminance at the current T_(FL) value is acquired.

The flag F=2 corresponds to a first state in the T_(FL) adjustment. In the state of F=2, background luminance data when T_(FL) is decreased is acquired.

The flag F=3 corresponds to a second state in the T_(FL) adjustment. In the state of F=3, background luminance data when T_(FL) is increased is acquired.

The flag F=4 corresponds to the G_(amp) adjustment.

At step S13, the control unit 40 initializes summation parameters for averaging processing of the background luminance. For example, the control unit 40 initializes a cumulated value Q_(sum) of the background luminance to the initial value of “0”. The control unit 40 also initializes a summation data number N to the initial value of “0”.

At step S14, the control unit 40 determines whether image data captured by the image sensor 107 of the target image measurement device 90 is received. When the determination at step S14 is negative, the control unit 40 waits for image data reception while executing the processing at step S14 in a loop.

At step S14, when having received the image data captured by the image sensor 107, the control unit 40 proceeds to step S16.

At step S16, the control unit 40 performs image data analysis. The processing unit 110 acquires a background luminance Q of the captured image in the image data analysis. The background luminance Q can be acquired by any of Measurement Methods “a” to “e” described above or an appropriate combination of these methods. The processing content of the image data analysis (step S16) will be described later in detail.

At step S17, the control unit 40 performs summation processing of the background luminance. The control unit 40 adds the background luminance Q acquired at step S16 to the cumulated value Q_(sum), thereby updating the value of Q_(sum).

In addition, at step S17, the control unit 40 adds “1” to the value of the summation data number N, thereby updating the value of the summation data number N.

At step S18, the control unit 40 checks whether the summation data number N has reached the predetermined averaging sampling number. The control unit 40 determines whether N≥N_(sample) is satisfied by comparing the value of N and the value of N_(sample). When the determination at step S18 is negative, the control unit 40 returns to step S14. Steps S14 to S18 are repeated until the summation data number N reaches the averaging sampling number.

When the summation data number N has reached the averaging sampling number and the determination at step S18 is positive, the control unit 40 proceeds to step S19.

At step S19, the control unit 40 performs averaging processing to calculate an average background luminance Q_(ave)=Q_(sum)/N_(sample). After the calculation of Q_(ave), the control unit 40 initializes Q_(sum) and N_(sample).

Subsequently at step S20, the control unit 40 checks the state of the adjustment flag F. When the adjustment is started or being performed (F=any of 1 to 4), the control unit 40 proceeds to the corresponding adjustment processing. When the adjustment is completed (F=0), the control unit 40 proceeds to background luminance check. In other words, at step S20, the control unit 40 determines whether the value of the adjustment flag F is 0″.

When the determination at step S20 is positive, the control unit 40 proceeds to step S21 in FIG. 20. The processing route including steps S21 to S24 illustrated in FIG. 20 is a normal route.

At step S21, the control unit 40 determines whether the average background luminance Q_(ave) is equal to or larger than the lower limit of the allowable range of the target value Q₀. Specifically, the control unit 40 determines whether Q_(ave)≥(1−α)Q₀ is satisfied. The target value Q₀ is an exemplary “reference luminance” in the present disclosure. The value (1−α)Q₀ is an exemplary “allowable lower limit luminance” in the present disclosure. The allowable lower limit luminance does not necessarily need to be set as the product of the target value Q₀ and (1−α). The allowable lower limit luminance may be a predetermined value.

When the determination at step S21 is negative, in other words, when Q_(ave) is smaller than the lower limit of the allowable range, the control unit 40 proceeds to step S22.

At step S22, the control unit 40 sets F=1 to change the processing route to the T_(FL) adjustment in the next loop.

When the determination at step S21 is positive, in other words, when Q_(ave) is equal to or larger than the lower limit of the allowable range, the control unit 40 proceeds to step S23. At step S23, the control unit 40 determines whether the average background luminance Q_(ave) is equal to or larger than the upper limit of the allowable range of the target value Q₀. Specifically, the control unit 40 determines whether Q_(ave)≤(1+α)Q₀ is satisfied. The value (1+α)Q₀ is an exemplary “allowable upper limit luminance” in the present disclosure. The allowable upper limit luminance does not necessarily need to be set as the product of the target value Q₀ and (1+α). The allowable upper limit luminance may be a predetermined value.

When the determination at step S23 is negative, in other words, when Q_(ave) is larger than the upper limit of the allowable range, the control unit 40 proceeds to step S24.

At step S24, the control unit 40 sets F=4 to change the processing route to the light-amplification-unit gain adjustment in the next loop.

When the determination at step S24 is positive, in other words, when the average background luminance Q_(ave) is within the allowable range of the reference luminance, the control unit 40 returns to step S14 in FIG. 19 and resumes the loop of the normal route.

After step S22 or S24 in FIG. 20, the control unit 40 returns to step S14 in FIG. 19.

When the control unit 40 returns to step S14 in FIG. 19 through step S22 or S24 in FIG. 20, the determination at step S20 is negative.

When the determination at step S20 is negative, in other words, when the adjustment flag F has a value other than 0, the control unit 40 proceeds to step S31 in FIG. 21. The processing route including steps S31 to S34 illustrated in FIG. 21 is an adjustment route.

At step S31, the control unit 40 determines whether the adjustment flag F is equal to or smaller than 3. The adjustment flag F being any of 1 to 3 means that adjustment to optimize T_(FL) is to be performed. When the determination at step S31 is positive, the control unit 40 proceeds to step S32 and performs T_(FL) optimization processing.

At step S32, the control unit 40 reflects the delay time T_(FL) based on a calculation result onto the actual device, acquires background luminance data, and optimizes T_(FL) so that the background luminance becomes maximum. The contents of T_(FL) optimization processing performed at step S32 will be described later. After step S32, the control unit 40 returns to step S14 in FIG. 19 and resumes the next loop.

When further optimization of the background luminance through adjustment of the gain of the light amplification unit 105B is needed in the case of F being any of 1 to 3, the control unit 40 sets F=4 to prepare for the adjustment of the gain of the light amplification unit 105B after having performed the T_(FL) optimization processing.

When the determination at step S31 in FIG. 21 is negative, in other words, when F is “4”, the control unit 40 proceeds to step S34. At step S34, the control unit 40 adjusts the gain of the light amplification unit 105B so that the background luminance becomes within the allowable range of the target value Q₀. The processing contents of light-amplification-unit gain adjustment A performed at step S34 will be described later. After step S34, the control unit 40 returns to step S14 in FIG. 10 and resumes the next loop.

After the T_(FL) optimization at step S32 in FIG. 21, the control unit 40 returns to the processing including the normal route described with reference to FIG. 20 when the light-amplification-unit gain adjustment is unnecessary.

7.4.2 Exemplary Image Data Analysis Processing

FIG. 22 is a flowchart of image data analysis processing. The image data analysis processing includes a target position and/or shape measurement subroutine (step S40) and a background luminance acquisition subroutine (step S42).

At step S40, the control unit 40 performs target position and/or shape measurement. For example, the processing unit 110 of the control unit 40 measures, from the captured image, at least one of a droplet diameter, a droplet position, a droplet interval, and the spread shape of mist. The mist is a diffused target.

At step S42, the control unit 40 employs processing corresponding to any one of the five measurement methods “a” to “e” as the background luminance acquisition subroutine, and measures the background luminance. Background luminance acquisition processing based on Measurement Method “a”, background luminance acquisition processing based on Measurement Method “b”, background luminance acquisition processing based on Measurement Method “c”, background luminance acquisition processing based on Measurement Method “d”, and background luminance acquisition processing based on Measurement Method “e” are referred to as “Background Luminance Acquisition “a””, “Background Luminance Acquisition “b””, “Background Luminance Acquisition “c””, “Background Luminance Acquisition “d””, and “Background Luminance Acquisition “e””, respectively.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart illustrating the processing content of Background Luminance Acquisition “a”. At step S50, the processing unit 110 calculates an average luminance I_(ave) of the image. The average luminance is obtained by calculating the average value of the count numbers of pixels of digital image data obtained from the image sensor 107, in other words, the average value of pixel values in the entire captured image.

At step S52, the control unit 40 employs I_(ave) as the background luminance Q.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart illustrating the processing content of Background Luminance Acquisition “b”. At step S60, the processing unit 110 calculates a maximum luminance I_(max) of the image. The maximum luminance is obtained by specifying a largest count number from among the count numbers of pixels of digital image data obtained from the image sensor 107.

At step S62, the control unit 40 employs I_(max) as the background luminance Q.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart illustrating the processing content of Background Luminance Acquisition “c”.

At step S70, the processing unit 110 produces a luminance histogram of the image. The processing unit 110 produces a luminance histogram as described with reference to FIG. 15 based on the count values of pixels of the captured image.

Thereafter, at step S72, the processing unit 110 acquires a peak value I_(peak) of the luminance histogram. The peak value of the luminance histogram is a count value at which the number of corresponding pixels is at maximum, and means a count value corresponding to a peak.

At step S74, the control unit 40 employs I_(peak) as the background luminance Q.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart illustrating the processing content of Background Luminance Acquisition “d”. At step S80, the control unit 40 sets a number N_(window) of measurement regions. In the example described with reference to FIG. 16, N_(window) is four.

At step S81, the control unit 40 initializes a background luminance Q_(k) for each measurement region, and initializes an index m for specifying a measurement region as a calculation target. The initializing processing at step S82 sets Q_(k)=0 (k=1, 2, . . . , N_(window)) and m=1. The index k identifies each of the N_(window) measurement regions.

At step S82, the processing unit 110 acquires the average luminance I_(ave) in the m-th measurement frame. The m-th measurement frame is synonymous with the m-th measurement region.

At step S83, the control unit 40 sets Q_(m)=I_(ave), and proceeds to step S84.

At step S84, the control unit 40 increments the index m to newly set m+1 to the value of m.

Then, at step S85, the control unit 40 determines whether m exceeds N_(window). When m is equal to or smaller than N_(window) at step S85, the control unit 40 returns to step S82 and repeats the processing at steps S82 to S85.

When m exceeds N_(window) at step S85, the control unit 40 proceeds to step S86.

At step S86, the processing unit 110 calculates the average value of N_(window) values of Q_(k) (k=1, 2, . . . , N_(window)) and employs the calculated average value as the background luminance Q of the captured image.

FIG. 27 is a flowchart illustrating the processing content of Background Luminance Acquisition “e”. At step S90, the control unit 40 sets the number N_(window) of measurement regions.

In the example described with reference to FIGS. 17 and 18, N_(window) is four.

At step S91, the control unit 40 performs various kinds of initializing processing necessary for calculation. The control unit 40 initializes a parameter p_(k) that determines the validity of measurement data for each measurement region: p_(k)=0 (k=1, 2, . . . , N_(window)). The control unit 40 initializes the background luminance Q_(k) for each measurement region: Q_(k)=0 (k=1, 2, . . . , N_(window)). The control unit 40 sets the index m for specifying a measurement region as a calculation target to be one: m=1. The control unit 40 also sets a value β as a reference of determination of whether the target exists in a measurement frame to be, for example, 0.2:0=0.2.

At step S92, the control unit 40 acquires the average luminance I_(ave) and a minimum luminance I_(min) in the m-th measurement frame. The processing unit 110 performs processing of calculating the average luminance I_(ave) and the minimum luminance I_(min) in the m-th measurement frame. At step S93, the control unit 40 determines whether (I_(ave)−I_(min))/I_(ave) is smaller than β.

When the target is included in the measurement frame, the value (I_(ave)−I_(min))/I_(ave) is close to one. When the target is not included in the measurement frame, the value (I_(ave)−I_(min))/I_(ave) is close to zero.

When having determined that (I_(ave)−I_(min))/I_(ave) is smaller than β at step S93, the control unit 40 proceeds to step S94. At step S94, the control unit 40 sets p_(m)=1 and Q_(m)=I_(ave) and then proceeds to step S96.

When having determined that (I_(ave)−I_(min))/I_(ave) is equal to or larger than β at step S93, the control unit 40 proceeds to step S95. At step S95, the control unit 40 sets p_(m)=0 and then proceeds to step S96.

At step S96, the control unit 40 increments the index m to newly set m+1 to the value of m.

At step S97, the control unit 40 determines whether m exceeds N_(window). When m is equal to or smaller than N_(window) at step S97, the control unit 40 returns to step S92 and repeats the processing at steps S92 to S97.

When having determined that m exceeds N_(window) at step S97, the control unit 40 proceeds to step S98.

At step S98, the processing unit 110 calculates the background luminance Q of the captured image in accordance with the formula of Q=Σ(p_(k)Q_(k))/Σ(p_(k)). Accordingly, measurement data of a measurement frame with p_(m)=0 is excluded, and only measurement data of a measurement frame with p_(m)=1 is used to calculate the background luminance Q.

A table in FIG. 28 lists advantages and disadvantages of Background Luminance Acquisition “a” to “e” described with reference to FIGS. 23 to 27. In the table, “A” indicates relatively high evaluation, and “B” indicates evaluation lower than “A”.

As for processing complication, Background Luminance Acquisition “a” and Background Luminance Acquisition “b” are serial processing and thus easy to process. However, Background Luminance Acquisition “c”, “d”, and “e” are rather complicated to process.

As for the processing range, Background Luminance Acquisition “a”, “b”, and “c” have processing ranges over the entire image, and thus need time to process. However, Background Luminance Acquisition “d” and “e” have processing ranges limited to ranges defined by region frames, and thus can be processed in a short time.

As for influence of a target image, the background luminance is hardly affected by the target image in principle in Background Luminance Acquisition “b”, “c”, and “e”. However, in Background Luminance Acquisition “a” and “d”, the background luminance is affected by the target image.

The influence of heat noise appears only in a measurement result by Background Luminance Acquisition “b”.

When comprehensively evaluated from FIG. 28, Background Luminance Acquisition “e” is a most preferable method among Background Luminance Acquisition “a” to “e”.

7.4.3 Exemplary T_(FL) Optimization Processing

FIG. 29 is a flowchart illustrating the contents of the T_(FL) optimization processing. The flowchart of FIG. 29 is applied to step S32 in FIG. 20. Before detailed description of steps in FIG. 29, an overview of the entire processing illustrated in FIG. 29 will be described below.

When the adjustment flag F is “1”, which indicates that the T_(FL) adjustment is started, the control unit 40 provisionally records the current average background luminance Q_(ave) as a maximum background luminance Q_(ave) ^(max) (step S102). Thereafter, to check T_(FL) in the negative direction first, the control unit 40 changes the adjustment flag F to “2” (step S103), sets, as a new value of T_(FL), a value obtained by subtracting ΔT from the current value of T_(FL) (step S110), and returns to the main flow illustrated in FIGS. 19 to 21.

When the adjustment flag F is “2” or “3”, which indicates that the T_(FL) adjustment is being performed, the average background luminance Q_(ave) is acquired again in the main flow illustrated in FIGS. 19 to 21, and return is made to the processing of FIG. 29. Thus, the control unit 40 compares the current average background luminance Q_(ave) with the maximum background luminance Q_(ave) ^(max) so far, and updates Q_(ave) ^(max) with Q_(ave) when the current average background luminance Q_(ave) is larger (step S105). Thereafter, T_(FL) is set again in a direction same as that in the previous procedure (step S110 or S116). In other words, T_(FL) is set again in the negative direction in the case of F=2 or in the positive direction in the case of F=3. This is a case in which the direction of timing adjustment is correct because the average background luminance is larger than the previous one.

When the current average background luminance Q_(ave) is smaller than the maximum background luminance Q_(ave) ^(max) so far, the control unit 40 proceeds to the next adjustment step (step S112). Specifically, the control unit 40 changes the adjustment flag to “3” in the case of F=2 or changes the adjustment flag to “4” in the case of F=3. This is a case in which the direction of timing adjustment is wrong or the adjustment is excessive because the average background luminance is smaller than the previous one. In this case, the control unit 40 increments the adjustment flag F at step S112 and then changes T_(FL) by the unit of ΔT in a direction opposite to the direction of the previous adjustment (step S114 or S118). In other words, the control unit 40 adds ΔT to the current value of T_(FL) at transition from F=2 to F=3. The control unit 40 subtracts ΔT from the current value of T_(FL) at transition from F=3 to F=4. At F=4, the control unit 40 does not return to the flow in FIG. 29 but proceeds to the light-amplification-unit gain adjustment A (step S34 in FIG. 20).

Subsequently, each step of the flowchart illustrated in FIG. 29 will be described in detail.

At step S100, the control unit 40 checks the adjustment flag and determines whether F is “1”. When the adjustment flag F is “1”, the determination at step S100 is positive and the control unit 40 proceeds to step S102.

At step S102, the control unit 40 provisionally sets the value of the current average background luminance Q_(ave) as the value of the maximum background luminance Q_(ave) ^(max).

At step S103, the control unit 40 sets the adjustment flag F to be “2” to perform check in the negative direction in which T_(FL) is reduced.

Then, at step S110, the control unit 40 newly sets T_(FL) to be a value obtained by subtracting ΔT from T_(FL). Step S110 corresponds to shift of the timing of the FL trigger in the negative direction. The value of T_(FL) changed at step S110 is reflected to the delay circuit 112. After step S110, the control unit 40 returns to the main flow illustrated in FIGS. 19 to 22.

When the determination at step S100 in FIG. 29 is negative, in other words, when the adjustment flag F has any value of 2 to 4, the control unit 40 proceeds to step S104.

At step S104, the control unit 40 determines whether the current average background luminance Q_(ave) is larger than the maximum background luminance Q_(ave) ^(max). When Q_(ave)>Q_(ave) ^(max) is satisfied, the control unit 40 proceeds to step S105 and updates the maximum background luminance Q_(ave) ^(max) with the current average background luminance Q_(ave).

After step S105, the control unit 40 determines whether the adjustment flag F is “2” at step S106. When the determination at step S106 is positive, in other words, when the adjustment flag F is “2”, T_(FL) is being checked in the negative direction, and thus the control unit 40 proceeds to step S110 and continues the processing of adjusting T_(FL) in the negative direction.

When the determination at step S104 is negative, in other words, when the current average background luminance Q_(ave) is smaller than the maximum background luminance Q_(ave) ^(max), the control unit 40 proceeds to step S112 and increments the value of the adjustment flag F.

At step S113, the control unit 40 determines whether the adjustment flag F is “3”. When the determination at step S113 is positive, in other words, when the adjustment flag F is “3”, T_(FL) is being checked in the positive direction, and thus the control unit 40 proceeds to step S114 and newly sets T_(FL) by adding ΔT to T_(FL). The processing at step S114 corresponds to processing of returning to the value of T_(FL) with which the current maximum background luminance Q_(ave) ^(max) is obtained because the value of T_(FL) shifted by ΔT in the negative direction at the previous step S110 is inappropriate.

After step S114, the control unit 40 proceeds to step S116 and newly sets T_(FL) by adding ΔT to T_(FL). The value of T_(FL) changed at step S114 is reflected to the delay circuit 112. After step S116, the control unit 40 returns to the main flow illustrated in FIGS. 19 to 22.

When step S106 in FIG. 29 is reached in the state of F=3, the determination at step S106 is negative and the control unit 40 proceeds to step S116. As T_(FL) is adjusted by ΔT in the positive direction, the determination at step S104 eventually becomes negative. When step S112 is reached in the state of F=3, the control unit 40 adds one to the value of the adjustment flag F. Accordingly, the adjustment flag F becomes “4”. In this case, the determination at step S113 is negative and the control unit 40 proceeds to step S118.

At step S118, the control unit 40 newly sets T_(FL) by subtracting ΔT from T_(FL). The processing at step S118 corresponds to processing of returning to the value of T_(FL) with which the current maximum background luminance Q_(ave) ^(max) is obtained because the value of T_(FL) shifted by ΔT in the positive direction at the previous step S116 is inappropriate.

After step S118, the control unit 40 returns to the main flow illustrated in FIGS. 19 to 22.

7.4.4 Exemplary Light-Amplification-Unit Gain Adjustment Processing

FIG. 30 is a flowchart illustrating the processing content of the light-amplification-unit gain adjustment A. FIG. 30 is a flowchart applied to step S34 in FIG. 20.

The flowchart illustrated in FIG. 30 is exemplary processing of changing the gain G_(amp) of the light amplification unit 105B at stages at the predetermined change rate ΔG.

At step S130, the control unit 40 determines whether the current average background luminance Q_(ave) is equal to or larger than the lower limit of the allowable range. Specifically, the control unit 40 determines whether Q_(ave)≥(1−α)Q₀ is satisfied. When the current average background luminance Q_(ave) is smaller than the lower limit of the allowable range, the control unit 40 proceeds to step S132.

At step S132, the control unit 40 changes setting of G_(amp) by increasing the gain G_(amp) of the light amplification unit 105B by ΔG. However, when G_(amp)+ΔG is larger than a specified maximum value, the control unit 40 sets G_(amp) to be the specified maximum value. A command of the gain G_(amp) set at step S132 is reflected on the light amplification unit 105B. After step S132, the control unit 40 leaves the flowchart of FIG. 30 and returns to the main flow illustrated in FIGS. 19 to 21.

When the determination at step S130 in FIG. 30 is positive, the control unit 40 proceeds to step S134 and determines whether the current average background luminance Q_(ave) is equal to or larger than the lower limit of the allowable range. Specifically, the control unit 40 determines whether Q_(ave)≤(1+α)Q₀ is satisfied. When the current average background luminance Q_(ave) is larger than the upper limit of the allowable range, the control unit 40 proceeds to step S136.

At step S136, the control unit 40 changes setting of G_(amp) by decreasing the gain G_(amp) of the light amplification unit 105B by ΔG. However, when G_(amp)−ΔG is lower than a specified minimum value, the control unit 40 sets G_(amp) to be the specified minimum value. A command of the gain G_(amp) set at step S136 is reflected on the light amplification unit 105B. After step S136, the control unit 40 leaves the flowchart of FIG. 30 and returns to the main flow illustrated in FIGS. 19 to 21.

When the determination at step S134 in FIG. 30 is positive, in other words, when the current average background luminance Q_(ave) is within the allowable range of the target value Q₀, the control unit 40 proceeds to step S138. At step S138, the control unit 40 sets the adjustment flag F to be “0”. After step S138, the control unit 40 leaves the flowchart of FIG. 30 and returns to the main flow illustrated in FIGS. 19 to 21, thereby returning to the normal route.

The measurement unit 101 described in the first embodiment is an exemplary “image capturing unit” in the present disclosure. The control unit 40 including the light-amplification-unit gain control unit 113 is an exemplary “control unit” in the present disclosure. The combination of the target image measurement device 90 and the control unit 40 is an exemplary “target image capturing device” in the present disclosure. The target passing detection signal is an exemplary “timing signal” in the present disclosure. Reception of the target passing detection signal by the delay circuit 112 is exemplary “reception of a timing signal from outside” in the present disclosure. The FL trigger is an exemplary “first trigger signal” in the present disclosure. The delay time T_(FL) is an exemplary “first delay time” in the present disclosure. The image capturing trigger corresponds to an exemplary “second trigger signal” in the present disclosure. The delay time T_(ccd) is an exemplary “second delay time” in the present disclosure.

The shutter trigger is an exemplary “third trigger signal” in the present disclosure. The delay time T_(str) corresponds to an exemplary “third delay time”.

7.5 Effects

According to the first embodiment, a captured image at an appropriate brightness can be obtained by measuring the background luminance from an image obtained by capturing a shadow of the target, and adjusting the gain G_(amp) of the light amplification unit 105B based on a result of the measurement. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent decrease of the background luminance attributable to various factors such as decrease of the light emission amount due to degradation of the flash lamp 92 and decrease of the light amount due to degradation of the shutter 105A or the light amplification unit 105B, and maintain the background luminance substantially constant. According to the first embodiment, the target measurement accuracy can be maintained.

8. Second Embodiment

8.1 Configuration

The configuration of an EUV light generation apparatus including a target image capturing device according to a second embodiment may be same as the configuration of the first embodiment illustrated in FIG. 13.

8.2 Operation

The following describes difference from the first embodiment. The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the processing content of adjustment of the gain of the light amplification unit 105B. In the first embodiment, the flowchart of FIG. 30 is employed as the processing of the light-amplification-unit gain adjustment A (step S34 in FIG. 21). However, in the second embodiment, the processing of light-amplification-unit gain adjustment B is employed in place of the processing of the light-amplification-unit gain adjustment A.

Specifically, in the second embodiment, the flowchart of FIG. 31 is employed in place of the flowchart of FIG. 21. The flowchart of FIG. 31 includes a step of the light-amplification-unit gain adjustment B (step S35) in place of step S34 in FIG. 21.

FIG. 32 is a flowchart illustrating the processing content of the light-amplification-unit gain adjustment B. The flowchart illustrated in FIG. 32 is applied to step S35 in FIG. 31.

The flowchart illustrated in FIG. 32 is exemplary processing of changing the gain G_(amp) of the light amplification unit 105B in a predetermined manner based on the ratio of the average background luminance Q_(ave) and the target value Q₀ so that the background luminance becomes within the allowable range of the target value Q₀.

At step S140, the control unit 40 determines whether the current average background luminance Q_(ave) is within the allowable range. Specifically, the control unit 40 determines whether Q_(ave)≥(1−α) Q₀ and Q_(ave)≤(1+α) Q₀ are satisfied. When the current average background luminance Q_(ave) is smaller than the lower limit of the allowable range or when the current average background luminance Q_(ave) is larger than the upper limit of the allowable range, the control unit 40 proceeds to step S142.

At step S142, the control unit 40 sets a new gain G_(amp) based on the ratio of the average background luminance Q_(ave) and the target value Q₀. For example, the control unit 40 sets the value of G_(amp)×(Q₀/Q_(ave)) as the new gain G_(amp). However, when the value determined by G_(amp)×(Q₀/Q_(ave)) is larger than a specified maximum value, the control unit 40 sets G_(amp) to be the specified maximum value. When the value determined by G_(amp)×(Q₀/Q_(ave)) is lower than a specified minimum value, the control unit 40 sets G_(amp) to be the specified minimum value. A command of the gain G_(amp) set at step S142 is reflected on the light amplification unit 105B. After step S142, the control unit 40 leaves the flowchart of FIG. 32 and returns to the main flow illustrated in FIGS. 19, 20, and 22.

When the determination at step S140 in FIG. 32 is positive, in other words, when the current average background luminance Q_(ave) is within the allowable range of the target value Q₀, the control unit 40 proceeds to step S144.

At step S144, the control unit 40 sets the adjustment flag F to be “0”. After step S144, the control unit 40 leaves the flowchart of FIG. 32 and returns to the main flow illustrated in FIGS. 19, 20, and 31, thereby returning to the normal route.

In the second embodiment, the processing of setting the value of ΔG at step S12 in the flowchart of FIG. 19 is omitted. The other processing content is same as that in the first embodiment.

8.3 Effects

The second embodiment can obtain effects same as those of the first embodiment.

9. Third Embodiment

9.1 Configuration

FIG. 33 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of an EUV light generation apparatus including a target image capturing device according to a third embodiment.

The following describes difference from the first embodiment illustrated in FIG. 13. In the first embodiment, the shutter 105A and the light amplification unit 105B at the measurement unit 101 are configured to be an integrated instrument, and the image intensifier capable of performing gate operation is described as a specific example of the integrated instrument.

However, in the third embodiment, the shutter 105A and the light amplification unit 105B of the measurement unit 101 are configured as instruments independent from each other. As illustrated in FIG. 33, the shutter 105A and the light amplification unit 105B are disposed in series on an optical path from the imaging optical system 104 to the image sensor 107. A lens 109 and any other optical element may be disposed between the shutter 105A and the light amplification unit 105B. The lens 109 may be part of the transfer optical system.

9.2 Operation

The operation of the third embodiment is same as that of the first embodiment or the second embodiment.

9.3 Effects

The third embodiment can obtain effects same as those of the first embodiment.

10. Modification

In the description of the first to third embodiments, the T_(FL) adjustment control and the G_(amp) adjustment control are performed in combination, but only the G_(amp) adjustment may be performed alone. For example, when the amount of light entering the image sensor 107 is reduced due to dirt on the window 98 and/or the window 108 of the target image measurement device 90, adjustment of increasing G_(amp) to compensate the reduced amount may be performed.

11. Diffused Target Measurement

In the description of the first to third embodiments, the target image measurement device 90 captures an image of a target in the droplet form, but the target image measurement device 90 may capture an image of the target diffused after irradiated with a pre-pulse laser beam.

FIGS. 34 to 36 are cross-sectional views schematically illustrating the process of generation of a target diffused when irradiated with a pre-pulse laser beam having a pulse width in the order of picoseconds. FIG. 34 illustrates an estimated state of the target when time in the order of picoseconds has elapsed since the start of irradiation of the target with the pre-pulse laser beam having a pulse width in the order of picoseconds. FIG. 35 illustrates an estimated state of the target when time in the order of nanoseconds has elapsed since the start of irradiation of the target with the pre-pulse laser beam having a pulse width in the order of picoseconds. FIG. 36 illustrates the state of the diffused target when time of 1 μs approximately has elapsed since the start of irradiation of the target with the pre-pulse laser beam having a pulse width in the order of picoseconds.

As illustrated in FIG. 34, when the target in the droplet form is irradiated with the pre-pulse laser beam, part of the energy of the pre-pulse laser beam is absorbed by the surface of the target. As a result, laser ablation occurs that involves spread of ions, atoms, and the like moving substantially perpendicularly from the target surface irradiated with the pre-pulse laser beam and toward the outside of the target. Accordingly, reaction due to the laser ablation occurs perpendicularly to the target surface irradiated with the pre-pulse laser beam and inward the target.

The pre-pulse laser beam has a fluence equal to or higher than, for example, 6.5 J/cm², and completes the target irradiation in time in the order of picoseconds, and thus the energy of light incident on the target per time is large. Accordingly, strong laser ablation occurs in a short time. As a result, reaction due to the laser ablation is large, and thus it is presumed that shock wave occurs inside the target.

The shock wave travels substantially perpendicularly to the surface of the target irradiated with the pre-pulse laser beam, and thus converges to substantially the center of the target in the droplet form. The wavefront of the shock wave initially has a substantially hemispherical surface shape substantially parallel to the surface of the target. The energy concentrates as the shock wave converges, and when the concentrated energy exceeds a certain magnitude, breakdown of the target in the droplet form starts.

It is presumed that the target breakdown starts at the substantially hemispherical surface shaped wavefront of the shock wave, the energy of which exceeds the certain magnitude through the convergence. This is thought to be a reason for the diffusion of the target in a dome shape on the incident side of the pre-pulse laser beam as illustrated in FIGS. 35 and 36.

In FIG. 34, when the shock wave converges to the center of the target in the droplet form, the energy concentrates most, and breakdown occurs to the remaining part of the target at once. This is thought to be a reason for the diffusion of the target in an annular shape on the traveling direction side of the pre-pulse laser beam as illustrated in FIG. 36.

Although it is presumed that strong laser ablation occurs in FIG. 34, the laser ablation occurs in a short time, and it is presumed that the shock wave reaches the center of the target in a short time. Then, it is presumed that the target breakdown starts as illustrated in FIG. 35 when time in the order of nanoseconds has elapsed. This is presumed to be a reason that the barycenter of the target has hardly moved from a position before the irradiation with the pre-pulse laser beam as illustrated in FIG. 36.

In the EUV light generation apparatus 12 described in the first to third embodiments, the target image measurement device 90 can measure the diffused target by appropriately setting the delay time of each of the drive laser output trigger, the image capturing trigger, the shutter trigger, and the FL trigger.

12. Exemplary Electronic Device Manufacturing Method Using EUV Light Generation Apparatus

FIG. 37 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the exposure apparatus connected with the EUV light generation apparatus. In FIG. 37, the exposure apparatus 46 includes a mask irradiation unit 462 and a workpiece irradiation unit 464. The mask irradiation unit 462 causes the EUV light 62 incident from the EUV light generation apparatus 12 to be incident on a mask pattern on a mask table MT through a reflection optical system 463. The EUV light generation apparatus 12 has a configuration in at least one of the forms described in the first to third embodiments and the modification.

The workpiece irradiation unit 464 causes the EUV light 62 reflected by the mask table MT to be imaged on a workpiece (not illustrated) disposed on a workpiece table WT through a reflection optical system 465.

The workpiece is a photosensitive substrate such as a semiconductor wafer to which photoresist is applied. The exposure apparatus 46 translates the mask table MT and the workpiece table WT in synchronization to expose the workpiece to the EUV light reflected by the mask pattern.

Through an exposure process as described above, a device pattern can be transferred onto the semiconductor wafer to manufacture a semiconductor device. The semiconductor device is an exemplary electronic device.

The above description is intended to provide not restriction but examples. Thus, the skilled person in the art would clearly understand that the embodiments of the present disclosure may be changed without departing from the scope of the claims.

Terms used throughout the present specification and the claims should be understood as non-limiting terms. For example, it should be understood that the terms “includes” and “included” mean that “the present invention is not limited to a subject described as being included”. It should be understood that the term “has” means that “the present invention is not limited to a subject described as being had”. It should be understood that the indefinite article “a” in the present specification and the claims means “at least one” or “one or more”. Further, “at least one of A, B, and C” should be interpreted to mean any of A, B, C, A+B, A+C, B+C, and A+B+C as well as to include combinations of the any thereof and any other than A, B, and C. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A target image capturing device comprising: a delay circuit configured to receive a timing signal from outside and output a first trigger signal at a timing delayed by a first delay time from the reception of the timing signal; an illumination light source configured to emit light based on the first trigger signal; an image capturing unit including a light amplification unit and disposed to capture an image of a shadow of a target to be observed, which is generated when the target is irradiated with the light emitted from the illumination light source; a processing unit configured to perform image processing including processing of measuring a background luminance from the image captured by the image capturing unit; and a control unit configured to perform control to adjust a gain of the light amplification unit based on the background luminance.
 2. The target image capturing device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit further performs control to adjust the first delay time based on the background luminance measured by the processing unit.
 3. The target image capturing device according to claim 2, wherein the control unit adjusts the gain of the light amplification unit after having adjusted the first delay time.
 4. The target image capturing device according to claim 2, wherein the control unit performs control to adjust the first delay time so that the background luminance becomes maximum.
 5. The target image capturing device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit performs control to adjust the gain of the light amplification unit when the background luminance measured by the processing unit is lower than an allowable lower limit luminance.
 6. The target image capturing device according to claim 5, wherein a reference luminance and an allowable variation width for the reference luminance are set in advance, and the allowable lower limit luminance is defined by the reference luminance and the allowable variation width.
 7. The target image capturing device according to claim 5, wherein the control unit performs adjustment to increase the gain of the light amplification unit when the background luminance measured by the processing unit is lower than the allowable lower limit luminance.
 8. The target image capturing device according to claim 5, wherein the control unit performs control to adjust the gain of the light amplification unit so that the background luminance becomes within an allowable range for a predetermined reference luminance by changing setting of the gain of the light amplification unit and measuring the background luminance.
 9. The target image capturing device according to claim 5, wherein the control unit sets the gain of the light amplification unit based on a ratio of the background luminance and a predetermined reference luminance.
 10. The target image capturing device according to claim 1, wherein a light emission port through which the light emitted from the illumination light source is emitted toward the target and a light incident port through which light having passed nearby the target is introduced to the image capturing unit are disposed at positions opposite to each other with respect to a position through which the target passes.
 11. The target image capturing device according to claim 1, wherein the image capturing unit includes an image sensor and a shutter, the delay circuit outputs a second trigger signal at a timing delayed by a second delay time from the reception of the timing signal and outputs a third trigger signal at a timing delayed by a third delay time from the reception of the timing signal, the image sensor performs the image capturing based on the second trigger signal, and the shutter is opened and closed based on the third trigger signal.
 12. The target image capturing device according to claim 1, wherein the light amplification unit is an image intensifier.
 13. The target image capturing device according to claim 1, wherein the processing unit performs processing of calculating an average count value over the entire captured image based on a count value of each pixel of the captured image, and the control unit acquires the average count value as the background luminance.
 14. The target image capturing device according to claim 1, wherein the processing unit performs processing of specifying a maximum count value in the entire captured image from a count value of each pixel of the captured image, and the control unit acquires the maximum count value as the background luminance.
 15. The target image capturing device according to claim 1, wherein the processing unit performs processing of producing a histogram of the count values in the entire captured image based on a count value of each pixel of the captured image, and specifying a count value corresponding to a peak of the histogram, and the control unit acquires the count value corresponding to the peak as the background luminance.
 16. The target image capturing device according to claim 1, wherein the processing unit performs processing of calculating an average count value in each of a plurality of measurement regions set in an image region of the captured image in advance, and calculating an average value of the calculated average count values of the measurement regions, and the control unit acquires the average value as the background luminance.
 17. The target image capturing device according to claim 1, wherein the processing unit performs processing of excluding, from calculation, a measurement region including a shadow of the target among a plurality of measurement regions set in an image region of the captured image in advance, calculating an average count value in each remaining measurement region not including the shadow of the target, and calculating an average value of the calculated average count values of the measurement regions, and the control unit acquires the average value as the background luminance.
 18. An extreme ultraviolet light generation apparatus comprising: a chamber in which plasma is generated; a target supply unit configured to supply, into the chamber, a target from which the plasma is generated; a target passing detection device configured to detect passing of the target supplied from the target supply unit into the chamber and output a target passing detection signal; a delay circuit configured to receive the target passing detection signal and output a first trigger signal at a timing delayed by a first delay time from the reception of the target passing detection signal; an illumination light source configured to emit light based on the first trigger signal; an image capturing unit including a light amplification unit and disposed to capture an image of a shadow of the target to be observed, which is generated when the target is irradiated with the light emitted from the illumination light source; a processing unit configured to perform image processing including processing of measuring a background luminance from the image captured by the image capturing unit; and a control unit configured to perform control to adjust a gain of the light amplification unit based on the background luminance, the apparatus generating extreme ultraviolet light by irradiating the target supplied from the target supply unit into the chamber with a laser beam to generate plasma from the target.
 19. The extreme ultraviolet light generation apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the chamber includes a first window as a light emission port through which the light emitted from the illumination light source is emitted toward the target, and a second window as a light incident port through which light having passed nearby the target is introduced to the image capturing unit, and the first window and the second window are disposed at positions opposite to each other with respect to a position through which the target passes.
 20. An electronic device manufacturing method comprising: generating, with an extreme ultraviolet light generation apparatus, extreme ultraviolet light by irradiating a target supplied from a target supply unit into a chamber with a laser beam to generate plasma from the target, the extreme ultraviolet light generation apparatus including the chamber in which the plasma is generated, the target supply unit configured to supply, into the chamber, the target from which the plasma is generated, a target passing detection device configured to detect passing of the target supplied from the target supply unit into the chamber and output a target passing detection signal, a delay circuit configured to receive the target passing detection signal and output a first trigger signal at a timing delayed by a first delay time from the reception of the target passing detection signal, an illumination light source configured to emit light based on the first trigger signal, an image capturing unit including a light amplification unit and disposed to capture an image of a shadow of the target to be observed, which is generated when the target is irradiated with the light emitted from the illumination light source, a processing unit configured to perform image processing including processing of measuring a background luminance from the image captured by the image capturing unit, and a control unit configured to perform control to adjust a gain of the light amplification unit based on the background luminance; outputting the extreme ultraviolet light to an exposure apparatus; and exposing a photosensitive substrate to the extreme ultraviolet light in the exposure apparatus. 